The administration of US President Donald Trump has imposed new time limits on visas for foreign students, exchange visitors, and journalists, ending a decades-old system that allowed many to stay in the US as long as they remained enrolled or on assignment.

Under a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule released Thursday, international students and exchange visitors will generally be limited to four years, while foreign journalists will be admitted for up to 240 days at a time, or just 90 days for Chinese nationals. Those wishing to stay longer must apply for an extension or leave and reapply.

The regulation, effective 60 days after publication in the Federal Register, could impact admissions for college programs starting in August and September. It marks the latest step in Trump's broader crackdown on immigration since returning to office in January 2025.

A DHS news release said the changes aim to address safety risks and taxpayer costs, citing examples of students and exchange visitors staying for decades. The department found over 2,100 individuals who entered as students from 2000 to 2010 still holding student status as of April this year.

In 2024, there were over 1.8 million student visa admissions, up 11% from the previous year, along with more than 500,000 exchange visitors and about 37,300 foreign journalists. Immigration advocates and universities warn the policies risk making the US a less attractive destination for study and research.

Source: www.aljazeera.com